New Immigration Streams under the refreshed Alberta PNP


New immigration streams were introduced under the Alberta PNP, now renamed the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Existing entrepreneur streams were also renamed. Eligibility criteria did not change for existing programs. 

The two new streams, the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream, are intended to settle skilled and talented professionals and entrepreneurs in rural Alberta. To be eligible, rural communities with populations under 100,000 must be located outside the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas.

The Rural Renewal Stream targets candidates inside or outside of Canada with a job offer from an Alberta employer to work in a designated rural community. Communities with the capacity to attract, recruit and welcome newcomers have to apply to the Government of Alberta for designation. A limited number of communities will be initially selected to participate in this program. A candidate must be endorsed by a designated community and meet all criteria for the Rural Renewal Stream, including work experience, language skills, education and settlement funds if applicable. 

The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is for entrepreneurs who want to start a business or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community. Eligible candidates can submit an Expression of Interest and visit the community where they wish to start their business. Entrepreneurs are commonly seen as innovators, a source of new ideas, goods and services. However, communities reserve the right to meet only with potential entrepreneurs whom they deem as a fit. A list of participating communities in rural Alberta will be available soon.

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